Well, I managed to survive my initial consultation at the Pain Clinic. Barely.
After being poked, prodded, stretched, reflexed, etc. for 30 minutes, I got a few tidbits of information and an appointment to come back on October 15th for a full-team assessment.
Here's the new CRAP:
1- I apparently have mild scoliosis, which either has gone completely undetected until now, or is a new development. The curve is in my mid-back, around the thoracic/lumbar transition.
2- It really looks like I'm going to wind up with a Fibromyalgia diagnosis, as the doctor tested ALL of the pressure points associated with the disorder - and every single one HURT. Some of them still do, 14 hours later.
3- I *still* have to go back to Lake County Mental Health (or find another provider) for long-term depression/anxiety care, because while they DO have psychologists, there isn't a SPECIFIC pyschiatry aspect like I was told when referred to them. UGH.
Aside from those little nuggets of joy, I still need to find a new general practitioner that is more competent of handling my condition (which shouldn't be TOO hard, compared to the last physician I saw after my ER visit), because after being *manipulated* in every which direction during the visit - I still left with no medication. *sigh*
So, I have a MASSIVE to-do list in regards to doctors on Monday, since I have to find a GP, make ANOTHER damned appointment at LCMH or find another provider, make an OB/GYN appointment (that I'm already months late on!)... and when that is all said and done, I'm going to try and make an appointment for Grey for a dentist, because he has a tiny cavity in one of his molars (even though the child is ADDICTED to brushing his teeth!) that I want to catch before it gets worse. Plus, I want to check on the fact that he has a *slight* overbite - which I can pretty much attribute (in my mind, anyways) to the fact that he is a stubborn little Scorpio and *still* uses his "Binka" for nap and bedtime. *sigh*
So, I've got a pretty full plate! Luckily, we are planning on making our trip down to the Shedd Aquarium on Tuesday, since we missed out 2 weeks ago because of all the massive flooding and, of course, OTHER drama. Heh.
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One of the TOTAL upsides to today was the fact that I won a $25 gift card for Build-a-Bear from Angela over at Fluid Pudding! Which means that in addition to the Nintendo DS that Crystal sent him, Greyson can *still* manage to have some pretty killer birthday presents, despite our TOTAL financial disaster status. *clapping*
Of course, that hasn't kept him from asking for everything.he.sees.on.tv.oh.my.GOD. I'm about to either un-plug the damn thing or only allow him to watch movies until Christmas, because hello? Could they put any MORE advertisements geared towards children out right now?!? It's gotten to the point where he'll anounce that he wants THAT movie during a DVD-release commercial... even if his answer is "I don't know" when we ask him the name of the movie. *shrug* He's a media FANATIC... don't know WHERE that came from...*snort*... couldn't be from his FATHER who bestowed his Mini-Blockbuster on me when we got together. No, not at all. I think Greyson himself owns somewhere upwards of 30 DVDs. Eek!
Unfortunately, it's looking like we're going to have to scrap our plans for his big Pirate Party for the little guy's birthday in November, though. It's just going to cost WAY too much in relation to everything going on right now, and with who knows WHAT kind of treatment schedule I will have with this whole Pain-Clinic ordeal, I more than likely won't have the time to accomplish everything that I had set out to do for the entire thing.
Of course, now I'm left scratching my head as to what TO do for his birthday. We *totally* didn't do ANYTHING last year, because we MOVED a couple weeks before, and it was just all too chaotic - so I feel I am indebtted to give SOME sort of a damn about the celebratory aspect of it this year. Heh.
Any suggestions outside of the "Chuck E. Cheese" standard? I'd like to avoid that if possible, and not do anything as massively migraine-inducing as that for a group of 2-5 year olds. Ack, the sheer *thought* of it makes my skin crawl.
Plus, C'MON! The one by us doesn't even have the HUGE tunnelly thing OR a ball pit. What a ripoff! LOL
SO - that's life as it stands right now. Still no job for the hubs, but unemployment is supposed to kick in on Monday. No pain relief for me YET... but here's to hope?!? And Greyson... well, he spent a good portion of the evening listening to Iron Maiden while he headbanged and sang along CORRECTLY to almost every song he heard. Yep... he's definitely got some GOOD taste in music. ;)
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Ouch.
Sung By Larissa at 3:23 AM
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6 Harmonizations:
Hi. I saw your mention of pain management at the electic life blog, and just thought I'd come by to offer support. Going to the pain clinic can be so frustrating, demoralizing, etc.
I went through a period of ten years, trying to get a diagnosis and, worst of all, trying to get TREATED properly. Everyone kept insisting that it be fibromyalgia and, thusly, blame me for it ... In my case, it wasn't fibromyalgia (instead SPS, which is kind of like MS). Anyhow, once I finally received the diagnosis, I waited four more years before I could get a doctor to send me to a specialist because the disease is so rare, they didn't understand. Also? The doctors don't have to live with it, so it's easy for them to tell you that you need to wait for this or that, while you suffer. (Read up on your patient rights; You have the right to not be in pain.) Secondly, since depression is an issue, it's common for them to somehow blame you for being sick, and focus more on the depression than on the pain. Don't let them.
Anyone dealing with serious illness, pain, etc is going to be depressed, so it could be a symptom rather than a cause.
I'm sorry, I'm sort of going off on a wild rant here, but this issue gets me worked up. I think that all people in your situation (and mine) should have advocates to deal with the health care system.
One more thing, if you don't mind ... Keep lists, not just of pain and patterns, but also of what you CAN'T DO. Sometimes, when a doctor realizes that you, for instance, can't sit more than ten minutes or can't reach above your head or can't drive comfortably, etc, then he/she pays more attention than to pain symptoms.
It's not fair and I don't know why they aren't better trained to deal with pain syndromes, but that seems to be the case.
I don't know if my comment makes any sense at all, just sort of thinking out loud, but if you need any support or help, just let me kn ow.
* Correction: I meant to say that depression could be secondary to the disease rather than the cause, so don't let them blame the depression.
I don't know if you can afford it, but I found alternative therapies very helpful: acupuncture, cranio-sacral, massage therapy, etc.
** Another great reason to keep track of what you CAN'T do is because it can make it easier for you to be eligible for disability monies, if you should seek that.
Wow, I'm so glad "So Not Cool" found you!
I just wanted to say I'm sorry that you're going through this- it sounds terrible. Makes me appreciate not having any health "issues". Hang in there, mama!
Very great advice from "so not cool".
I hope things start to improve for you Larissa, and soon!
For my niece's 5th Birthday, we did a Rock Band party. If you know people with the system and few TVs tell them to bring them and then have a rcok off. Of course umm that was more for the adults. Ha ha!
I'm no good at planning kids parties.
I hope they can help you soon. There is nothng worse than being in pain with nothing to make it stop. :o(
Just linked over here from Redneck Mommy, and saw your pirate party dilemma. We did one for my son's fourth bday on a showstring budget, and not too much prep, either. Not to be all Martha Stewart on you, but if you go back to that idea I can let you know what worked for us.
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